New North Carolina Project Weekly Bulletin

Introducing our regional organizers, Black History Month, the Lunar New Year, American Rescue Plan funds and more, from the desk of our digital director, Kristen Havlik.

Our partner organization Indivisible Triangle DTCA is hosting a virtual training tomorrow about how to give public comments during school board meetings. We have to stand up for teachers and school workers to have thriving wages and for children who deserve and have the right to a safe and sound education. We encourage you to take the training and sign up for public comments at your county's school board meetings and be a part of the solution.

Health News in NC and COVID-19 Vaccines

On Tuesday, February 1, the law that the NC General Assembly passed back in August went into effect to allow people in NC to receive birth control from a pharmacist without a prescription. The law says that licensed pharmacists will have to conduct an assessment before providing the prescription. This bill will help make birth control more accessible, especially in rural communities and for people that do not have health insurance. And it will also help the 44% unplanned pregnancy rate in NC. Walmart has low-cost birth control available for anyone, even for people that may not have health insurance.

The last group of individuals that have not had the opportunity to be protected from the COVID-19 virus, children ages 2-5, will soon be able to receive the vaccine, possibly as soon as early March. Phizer recently filed their application for approval after conducting a clinical trial. The Moderna vaccine should come shortly after as well as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Phizer has recently started manufacturing a 5-day medication for COVID-19, but supplies are scarce due to the high demand among people that are testing positive of the virus. The medication can only be prescribed by a doctor after testing positive through a PCR test. The medication will help moderate the symptoms of the virus. 

NC Homeowner Assistance Fund Finally Opens

It's been over a year since the American Rescue Plan was passed in Congress and funds for housing assistance are finally available for NC Homeowners. The funds can be used towards mortgages, utility bills, property taxes, home insurance and HOA fees. If you or someone you know is still struggling and is need of financial assistance, please apply through the

NC Housing Finance Agency. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Weekly Progress

This past week, our team and volunteers made 3000 calls!

So far this year that is 350 doors and 7930 calls! 

It took Stacey Abrams 10 years to break even with progress made in Georgia once she started registering voters of color and mobilizing them to be a part of the engaged electorate, and we know that the work we are doing in NC is important, but change does not happen overnight or over a few months or even a year. The approaches in NC to get people of color have not worked in the past and we're here to change that in a more empathetic, compassionate way that will build trust through creating long-lasting relationships. Progress is gradual and we hope you'll be inspired by the hard work we are doing in NC and decide to be a part of our work and care for communities that have been disenfranchised for hundreds of years. 

Environmental Justice is Racial Justice

On Monday, January 31st, a fire was reported at the Weaver fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem. On Tuesday the city and fire department started to organize an evacuation for 6500 people in a one mile radius of the plant. Thankfully by Thursday the fire was more under control, but so much damage ahas already been done. NC Policy Watch environmental reporter Lisa Sorg reported that the census tract data for the area shows that 80-95% of the population near the plant are people of color and 70-90% are low-income. And the rates of asthma population in kids overall in Winston-Salem are way above the state average. When we prioritize environmental justice, we must also include making sure all healthcare is affordable and accessible for all, as well as housing surrounding plants like this 

Honoring the Black Community During Black History Month

If you need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255

And remember that suicide prevention also looks like: food security, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, destigmatizing mental illnesses, increasing accessibility to mental health care,  acceptance and active allyship with the LGBTQ+ community and so much more. 

Happy Lunar New Year!

This week celebrates the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which is the year of the Tiger. According to the Chinese zodiac signs the tiger embodies courage and bravery and anyone born this year will value independence and have a strong sense of justice.

We hope that this year brings you resilience and strength.

Check Your Voter Registration

We’re no stranger to voter suppression in our state. So we encourage you to check your voter registration often as board of elections offices purge voters from time to time.

Help us reach our goals in 2022

With your generosity, we are able to build a permanent infrastructure that will increase voter registration and turnout as well as take care of our communities of color, in and outside of election cycles.

Paid for the New North Carolina Project 

The New North Carolina Project
6012 Bayfield Pkwy
Suite 142
Concord, NC 28027
United States  

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